Consider plea to stop stone quarrying: HC

Madurai: Madras high court has directed the authorities to consider and pass orders on a plea seeking to stop stone quarrying operations close to a residential area in Paraipatti village in Dindigul district.Petitioner Palanisamy said the quarry was close to houses, agricultural lands and temples, causing severe hardship to residents. Though the quarry licence stands in the name of a women’s welfare association, it is allegedly being operated by certain people using heavy machinery and with continuous blasting operations.This has resulted in excessive dust, air pollution, noise and vibrations, adversely affecting agriculture, livestock, residential structures, and the health and safety of villagers.

He said blasting operations have caused damage to houses, disturbance to worship at nearby temples, besides inconveniencing children and elderly people. He moved court as representations to authorities seeking to stop the quarry operations went unheeded.A division bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman directed the authorities to consider and pass appropriate orders on the representation on merits and in accordance with law, after affording an opportunity to all interested parties. The exercise shall be completed in three months, the judges said and disposed of the petition.